I had a lot going on in March. So, needless to say it was quite busy. At the beginning of the month I deviated from my adventures in Guyana to experience some adventures in Suriname. The immigration laws of the land (Guyana) stipulated that I was only allowed to be in the country for 3 months at a time (depending on what country you're a citizen of the time could be longer). Once the 3-month period has lapsed a foreigner must leave the country for at least 24 hours before returning, at which time he/she is granted another 3 months. So, I took a brief trip to neighboring Suriname a few weeks before my initial 3-month period was up.
I only spent 2 days in Suriname. I wish I could have spent a longer period of time because I really liked it. Here are a few random shots from around the hotel where I stayed. They're nothing spectacular but they'll hopefully give you some idea of what it was like there.
I also got to visit and tour the Branch in Suriname.
Here are a few random shots of the lobby area.
Here are 2 of the many people that I met there.
Sandra is the receptionist.
And Naomi was my tour guide.
The tour started here...
This is the Kingdom Hall that is on the grounds of the Branch.
The tour continues....
the shipping department
the automotive department
laundry
the dining room
the library
This is what could be seen as you walk from one building to the next. There were about 5 buildings in total.
The tour was very nice, as were the friends that I met. They even called me the next day to make sure that I made it back safely to Guyana. Very thoughtful indeed!
With my visit to the Branch completing my Suriname experience, we now head back to Guyana where the adventures continue once again. Before heading back to Georgetown, I stopped over in Berbice (the countryside) for a few days. This was my second time. You may recall from my last post that I spent some time in Skeldon, which is an area in Berbice. This time I stayed in an area called Brighton. I stayed with a nice couple Tom and Michelle Sanchez. The accommodations were very cozy. I could tell that a lot of thought and effort went into preparing my sleeping quarters. So, I took a few shots of what they looked like.
Cute and cozy, right?
All of my time in the Ministry in Brighton was spent with Michelle on her Bible studies. Here is one of her students.
This is Corletta. She is an amzing Bible student - the kind that all publishers wish to have. She's enthusiastic, she prepares well and she attends all of the meetings. Her next goal is to join the Theocratic Ministry School. I think it's only a matter of time before she becomes an unbaptized publisher and subsequently gets baptized.
One day after field service, I took a trip with Michelle to the market and I saw this most unusual sight...
...this man laying on the ground while getting a picture painted on his back - definitely not something you see every day.
And as we were leaving these goats decided to visit the market as well.
Apparently, they come in whenever the market is about to close to partake of the day's scraps left behind.
And then on our way home from the market, look where we stopped.
I literally got to "step over into Macedonia" (Acts 16:9)
And so ends my time in Brighton.
I arrived back in Georgetown a day before the Special Assembly Day, which I attended.
I got to spend a little time with Nikisha (l) and Debra (r) during intermission.
Both of them are in my congregation. Nikisha and her husband Nicholas are special pioneers. We preach together regularly. They have been true lifesavers. When no one else is out in field service or everyone goes in early, I can almost always depend on them to accompany me so that I can continue my day in the Ministry. I don't know what I'd do without them.
My 3rd month in Guyana also happened to be the month of the Memorial. We had an attendance of 212. My Bible student and her family were part of that number.
This is Belinda. You may remember her from the 1st post. She attended with her 3 children. And she also brought her husband. I was really happy that the whole family was able to attend.
In the month of March I also gave a talk on the Theocratic Ministry School (no picture). I also got to do a demonstration on the Service Meeting.
And so ends my activities for the month of March. See! I told you I had a busy month.
Well, I think I'll end here. Thanks for continuing to follow me on my adventures in Guyana. Until next time....signing off.
